Coast Guard opens portion of Missouri River

ST. LOUIS — The Coast Guard, in partnership with the Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the states of South Dakota and Nebraska, Saturday, reopened an additional 58 miles of the Missouri River to vessel traffic.

The newly opened portion of the river extends from mile marker 811 just south of Gavin’s Point Dam in Yankton, S.D, to mile marker 753 at the southern border of Ponca State Park, Neb. The river from St. Louis to approximately 10 miles upriver from Kansas City, Mo., at mile marker 380 remains open to all vessel traffic.

Although this portion of the river is now open to vessel traffic, waterway users are cautioned that high water conditions still exist. Boaters are urged to use caution in and near the river as sustained high water could have modified bottom conditions and exposed or created unexpected navigation hazards. Additionally, boaters must be mindful of their wake and operate in a manner that does not cause further damage to levee systems or privately-owned properties. Waterway users should also contact state and local emergency management and law enforcement officials to ensure that boat ramps are open and accessible.

The Missouri River closure from mile marker 380 to mile marker 753 remains in place. The Big Sioux River closure, from the confluence with the Missouri River to the Military Road Bridge in north Sioux City, S.D., is also still in place.

The Coast Guard, in concert with the Army Corps of Engineers and state officials, will continue to monitor water levels in an effort to open the river as soon as levee conditions and public safety concerns warrant.

The Coast Guard advises mariners to monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 22 for any changes to the closure.